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Tag Archives: home improvement projects

Our garage is one part of the home that at some point, everyone has vowed to keep clean and organized. It also has a tendency to become the homes storage centre. As many of us can probably attest, it’s not uncommon to see cars parked in the driveway due to a cluttered garage filled with yard tools, bikes, toys etc. What many don’t realize is that an organized garage will not only look great, but it can help the resale value of your home down the road, should you choose to sell.

While organizing a garage will take some time and effort, it can be easily achieved with some quick fixes. If you were ever thinking about having a garage sale, now might be the perfect time. After all, they’re called “garage sales” for a reason.

The first recommendation would be to familiarize yourself with what exactly is in your garage. Do you need the old newspapers in boxes from your last move? Have the kids grown out of those bikes? Will you ever use they dusty table saw in the back corner? Once you establish what it is you want to purge and what is you want to keep, you will be able to move on to the next step; organization.

Try to group your items into categories like: toys, seasonal, lawn care, automotive etc. Once that has been established, you can decide how you want it organized. Stores like Walmart, Home Depot and Canadian Tire offer many different storage products that are not only affordable, but customizable. Consider placing shelving along the ceiling of the garage to open up floor space for your vehicles. Storage bins are also a great idea. Consider defining a garbage and recycling area that is convenient and out of the way. If you really want to take organization to the next level, consider a label maker so that you know exactly what everything is and where it is.

Homeowners tackling renovations may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 when incorporating more energy-efficient solutions!

(NC)— The Government of Canada has renewed the ecoEnergy Retrofit—Homes Program from June 6, 2011 until March 31, 2012. What does this mean? Homeowners tackling renovations may be eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 when incorporating more energy-efficient solutions.

Not sure where to start? The experts at The Home Depot Canada can help with a few of the most common home improvement projects that are eligible:

Remodeling the Bathroom

A cost-effective way to update the bathroom is to install a more modern vanity. Looking to a new unit similar in size to the existing footprint is smart—and a matching sink and new low-flow faucet will make the investment a good one. To take full advantage of the ecoEnergy Retrofit—Homes Program, consider adding one more update to the remodel—a new ecoEnergy approved low-flush or dual-flush toilet (that comes with a rebate of $65). This rebate can even be applied to up to four replacement toilets per home.

Finishing a Basement

A finished basement is a great place to entertain and enjoy as a family. Did you know that insulating this space could cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 20 per cent? Not to mention possible rebates of $125 to $1250. A warm basement and cash back—the perfect combination!

Winterizing for Cold Temps

With air leakage accounting for 30 to 40 per cent of total heat loss in a home, fixing drafts before the mercury dips can add up to big savings. Bigger projects, such as installing ENERGY STAR® qualified windows and doors, can save up to 12 per cent on the average energy bill and provide a rebate of $40 per rough opening (the structural framing in a wall or roof that separates a heated space from an unheated space—creating an opening for the installation of a window)

To find out more about the ecoEnergy Retrofit—Homes Program and whether other provincial incentives are available, visit www.homedepot.ca/ecoenergy